Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
WARNING:
CONTENT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES DUE TO EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT.
“DESTROYER RECOMMISSIONED”
EPISODE 69 – CONFLICT
BY: LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. KUMANI HOSPITAL BURN UNIT
Within the half hour, Sannaro was slipping under the sheets in the burn unit.
MARC
Racing against the Doc clock?
SANNARO
Houk, Danu said if I wasn’t in bed in a half hour, he was going to flay my skin off in the shower.
MARC
Ouch.
SANNARO
He’s still going to cut some skin off, but he wants me in here before he does it.
MARC
My thigh got harvested.
SANNARO
You’re lucky. Technically, the only skin I was born with that I have left is a width of two inches along the length of my spine. The rest was grown in a lab and sure enough, Danu wants closest to pure.
MARC
The back is so thin. That’s definitely going to hurt.
SANNARO
He’s giving me a break by cutting near my tail bone.
MARC
Still going to be quite painful.
SANNARO
Tell me about it. I’ve had over a thousand skin graft surgeries. I’ll never be fond of them.
Danu entered and nodded when he saw Sannaro was in bed.
DANU
Good. I’ll have you prepped for surgery. I’ll cut out the destroyed skin then I’ll take a few strips of skin, one for the lab and the other I’ll suture on you.
SANNARO
I hope you don’t mind if I’m not excited about it.
DANU
I’d call you a masochist if you were excited about it.
SANNARO
Ha, ha.
A tech joined them in the room.
TECH
Danu, surgery is prepped.
DANU
Okay, let’s get San in and do this.
He was pushed into the burn room surgery, then was helped onto the table. Danu picked up the cannula and put it under Sannaro’s nose.
DANU
Talk to you later, brother.
Sannaro felt himself become drowsy and closed his eyes in sleep.
(LATER)
Sannaro woke again to intense pain. He curled up in a ball and hugged his arm to his chest.
MARC
Wow, I’m calling someone to help you.
Less than a minute, Danu was in the outer room preparing to enter. He stepped into the door and stopped beside Sannaro.
DANU
Owe, I’m preparing a pain reliever. I had Jeremy do a spot heal on the harvest area, but I had to allow your shoulder time to not reject the graft.
Sannaro nodded.
Danu pressed the injector into his neck.
DANU
I want to take a look at your shoulder.
Sannaro uncurled.
DANU
Houk, that graft is looking nice. Your pain is getting more manageable now. My headache is receding. Unfortunate side effect of being telepathically connected to you by marriage.
SANNARO
Unfortunate?
DANU
Well, you should remember, I’m not naturally telepathic so it can be quite an adjustment to sense more than I can by myself.
Marc snickered from his own bed.
SANNARO
I’m glad we’re entertaining you so much, Brocana!
MARC
It kind of reminds me of the conversations I have with my cousin Zakoti about comparing Brocana to the Human culture.
Danu moved over to Marc.
DANU
I want to see your thigh, too.
Marc moved his bedding to expose the wound.
DANU
Yours is looking good, too. I’ll give you both a day or two to rest before I put you in for another grafting surgery.
MARC
When can we be released? I want to check on Hadeon.
DANU
I want another layer of skin on you before I’ll bandage you and let you go beyond this room.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Hadah, how are the PE doing at containing Hadeon?
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
The reports say he’s being surly and insulting, but they’re successfully containing him. How is your grafting proceeding?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Marc and I aren’t rejecting the first grafting. Marc’s eager to check on Hadeon.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
Nice of him to want to do his job, but he needs to give himself time to heal.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
That’s what Danu’s telling him.
HADAH (PSI V.O.)
You tell him that our PE are doing fine and he shouldn’t be in a hurry to join them.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’ll tell him.
DANU
Welcome back.
SANNARO
You’re quite the wit today, brother.
DANU
All a part of the service.
Sannaro rolled his eyes.
Sannaro crossed his arms and winced when his shoulder twinged.
SANNARO
Our PE can be trusted.
MARC
It’s not that I don’t trust your PE. I just like to do the duties I’m given.
DANU
Not if it gets you an infection. You don’t want to get an infection. You might get gangrene and I’ll have to amputate your leg.
MARC
Okay, I’ll stay here.
DANU
I thought so. I’ll check on both of you later.
Danu walked out the door.
INT. HADEON'S HOLDING APARTMENT - KUMANI
Sannaro was visiting Marc as he guarded Hadeon. They had several layers of skin back with their wounds bandaged.
SANNARO
So are you looking forward to returning home?
MARC
Very. I know my family will give me a warm welcome.
HADEON
Lucky you.
MARC
Hold your tongue, Renegade.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Let’s change to telepathy so he can’t interrupt us.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Good idea.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Have you heard anything on the investigation into ADF corruption yet?
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Not really. They’re still looking into it. San, I tried so hard to warn HQ that I was seeing obstruction of justice on the Yorktown, but no one would listen just because I’m the Speaker of Representative’s son. When are they going to stop judging me by my Father?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
When everyone stops judging me as a Deviant Saili.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Great, I actually wanted reassurance but you sure blew that to fausa!
Sannaro laughed.
HADEON
Now this is getting creepy. The two of you are just sitting there looking at each other and all I get to see is changing expressions.
SANNARO
We’re talking telepathically so you can’t interject your smart ass comments into our conversation.
HADEON
I wouldn’t want that slag inside my mind.
MARC
I’d rather have him in my head than you. So do us all a favor and hold your tongue, Renegade.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Anyway, about that Renegade, I need to work out the details of the prisoner transfer.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
I sure hope it will go uneventful.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You know there’s always a chance that it won’t.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
That’s what I’m dreading, but I trust you to make the transfer as secure as you can.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’ll sure try. Later, Marc.
MARC
Later, San.
Sannaro walked to the elevator with the intent to take it to the Upper Flight Deck.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
Sannaro.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
You need me? I was going to plan Hadeon's transport.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
You haven't taken the time to help Cherna. She's been in my office several times to talk to Wanakaya. I want you to come to my office for a counseling session.
Sannaro sighed as he stepped into the elevator.
SANNARO
Hospital.
VARANANI (PSI V.O.)
I'm glad you're coming.
The door closed and dropped several levels.
Sannaro walked from the elevator and entered Varanani's office. He sat down beside Cherna.
SANNARO
I'm here.
CHERNA
You've been busy.
SANNARO
All the surgeries have taken a lot of time and we're transporting Hadeon, so I have been quite busy.
WANAKAYA
Have you sensed it's been hard on Cherna?
SANNARO
I have sensed it. There's just so much for me to do, I feel like I'm meeting myself coming and going.
Cherna stood up, straddled his knees and looked down into his face.
Sannaro flushed.
CHERNA
You're getting off on this.
SANNARO
Well, I am a man. You are beautiful and your breasts are very close to my face.
CHERNA
You still find me desirable?
SANNARO
I never stopped finding you desirable.
CHERNA
Even without legs?
SANNARO
There's so much more to you than legs.
CHERNA
Such as?
SANNARO
You're so versatile and athletic. You're intelligent and sensitive. You were trapped on a ship full of pirates and never acted like you were vulnerable. You fought harder than I did. Why shouldn't I love a spirit like yours?
CHERNA
Hadeon raped me.
SANNARO
Iachi'awei knows I didn't want you to be raped. I almost committed suicide when Marc took you because I ran up the stairs to go to the retrieval ramp to stop that shuttle from launching. Metei restrained me before I exposed myself to space.
Cherna slipped back down to the couch.
CHERNA
You did?
SANNARO
I fell apart in my isolation room until Hadah told me to snap out of it and organize an infiltration team. I knew I would get beaten again on that pirate ship or even killed but I didn't care because I wanted you back. Does that answer your question adequately?
Cherna molded herself against his side.
CHERNA
It tells me a lot.
WANAKAYA
Danu supports Sannaro's statement. He almost did expose himself to a depressurized deck until Metei restrained him.
SANNARO
I'm guarding Hadeon right now so I know for damned sure he can't touch you again. If he does, I'll tear his hands off his arms.
Wanakaya arched her eyebrows.
SANNARO
Sorry for the violent words, Wanakaya, but that's how I feel.
WANAKAYA
Cherna?
Cherna's eyes teared.
CHERNA
My fierce protector.
Sannaro turned and kissed her lips.
SANNARO
That's what I'm doing, protecting you because I don't want to lose you. Can you believe me?
CHERNA
Houk, I believe you.
SANNARO
Can I go up to the Flight Deck to plan Hadeon's transport now?
Cherna stood up.
CHERNA
Go on.
SANNARO
Fa'arata.
Sannaro wiped his sleeve across his tear streaked face before he walked from the office back to the elevator.
He took the elevator to the Upper Flight Deck.
INT. UPPER FLIGHT DECK -KUMANI
He exited onto the vast flight deck and turned left. The busy deck buzzed with activity and some passed him with a nod. He returned the nods until he went through the doors to the ready room. He turned right, climbed the stairs to the offices and entered the door to his office. As soon as he sat down to think about the plans he needed to make to transport Hadeon, he sensed that Arcas was climbing the stairs with the intent to talk to him.
SANNARO
Akla.
The door swept open as Arcas extended his hand to ring the bell.
Sannaro grinned.
ARCAS
You do that to me every time.
SANNARO
What do you need, Arc?
ARCAS
Are you planning to transport the Pirate?
SANNARO
That’s my intention. I’m thinking about having Tisa accompany me.
ARCAS
You always take Tisa and leave me behind! When is my chance, San? Don’t you trust me?
SANNARO
That’s not the issue. I actually trust you more than you know. I don’t like to have both Senior Vizha'e deployed. If any of us die, who will keep the flight decks running?
ARCAS
Then you stay back.
SANNARO
I was personally requested to deliver Hadeon to the Alliance Council of Representatives! That pirate has put me though so much, I want to see that ni'yaroi knocked down!
ARCAS
Right, you have to go, but I always have to stay back and watch the fort! I heard that he molested Cheri. Do you want to give that degenerate the chance to hurt another woman?
SANNARO
Nui, I wouldn’t want to will this mental anguish on a great friend like her, but if you get hurt or killed, it will destroy me to have to explain to Iara how it happened.
ARCAS
I’m Vizha'e. It’s a part of the job and you know it.
SANNARO
Okay, you can come and I’ll arrange for Tisa to take the sash again if either of us fall.
ARCAS
Bout time, boss. Who’s flying?
SANNARO
I was thinking of asking Kosi.
ARCAS
Kosi’s a good choice.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Kosi, I want you to pilot the shuttle to take Hadeon down to Earth.
KOSI (PSI V.O.)
Just tell me when you want the shuttle ready. Armed or unarmed?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’ll need everyone armed and ready to fight if things get out of hand.
KOSI (PSI V.O.)
I’ll sign out a pistol.
ARCAS
Kumani to Sannaro, do you copy?
SANNARO
I'm back.
ARCAS
I never know if you’re just being quiet or off talking to someone in a completely different part of the ship! And if you’re truly being quiet, that gives me a good reason to worry.
SANNARO
I’m not that bad!
ARCAS
Houk, you are.
SANNARO
Nui, I’m not!
ARCAS
Now are you going to stick a lip out or stick your tongue out at me like when we were children?
Sannaro snickered then stuck his tongue out.
Arcas snapped his fingers out.
Sannaro pulled his tongue in before Arcas could snatch it.
SANNARO
Ha, ha, missed.
ARCAS
I missed having your silly humor around here.
SANNARO
Actually, it’s refreshing for me to kid around again. The last few years, I’ve been a bit in my thoughts.
ARCAS
That damned Saili war. Every time you go off to rescue those people of yours, you come back with your head screwed up.
SANNARO
But I am Saili, Arc. I have a need to understand both sides of me, Astrisi and Saili because it’s who I am.
ARCAS
I still don’t like what they do to you.
SANNARO
They taught me how to use my telepathy to its’ maximum ability and be a professional tracker.
ARCAS
And how to blow yourself up!
SANNARO
Nui, my friend, I blew myself up in an ill-thought infiltration mission. That was my mistake and I paid for it dearly. It wasn’t until I was convinced to use my people’s nature to an advantage that I was able to redo the mission successfully and convince the Humans to leave Sailia.
ARCAS
But it changed you, San. I really missed that guy who would be fidgety and joking around when no one was looking. I miss you playing around with Kuro and Alo’s heads, making them say things they wouldn’t usually admit to. Di'ok and I really got a lot of laughs from that.
SANNARO
I was immature and indiscriminate with my telepathy in those days.
ARCAS
But you were fun.
SANNARO
A lot has happened to all of us since then. We’re both fathers and warriors. We had to change.
ARCAS
Houk, but did we have to change so much?
SANNARO
Too many wars and battles.
ARCAS
And you let it cut you to the core.
SANNARO
Sometimes I did, but I’m still fighting, Arc. They haven’t defeated me yet.
ARCAS
Cause you’re one stubborn unkakab.
Sannaro stood.
SANNARO
I am not a dirty worlder, you scoundrel!
Arcas bent forward.
ARCAS
You’re not? Why’s your skin the color of yellow clay?
SANNARO
Oh? Why’s your skin the color of a pink rose pedal?
ARCAS
You rascal!
SANNARO
Behemoth!
Both dropped back into their chairs laughing hard.
Sannaro drew in a deep breath to calm down.
SANNARO
I needed that, my friend.
ARCAS
See you on the mission, boss.
Arcas left.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. HADEON'S HOLDING APARTMENT
The next morning, Sannaro walked beside Marc to the apartment Hadeon was kept in. Both were in full battle gear with lasers strapped to their hips.
SANNARO
Akla.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Voice of Senior Vizha'e Sannaro recognized. Unlocking door.
The door swept open and two men in white baldrics stood at the door.
EKRI
Senior Vizha'e Sannaro.
SANNARO
We’re here to take Hadeon to the shuttle, Ekri.
EKRI
Please do before someone kills him. He’s been quite an unmannerly guest.
Sannaro chuckled.
Ekri handed the controls for the restraining cuffs to Sannaro.
SANNARO
Come along, Hadeon. You have an appointment to keep.
Hadeon rolled his eyes.
HADEON
I’m so excited, slag.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I’m going to raise an electrical field around myself and you, Marc. It should feel a bit tingly but it won’t harm you. However, if Hadeon tries to physically attack either of us, it will hurt him.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Okay, San.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Arcas, is the shuttle ready for us?
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Houk, boss. Kosi is at the helm, ready and armed.
SANNARO
Are you coming, Hadeon, or do I have to convince you?
HADEON
And how do you intend to convince me?
Sannaro increased the controls to cause muscle paralysis.
Hadeon collapsed on himself and grunted.
HADEON
Ouch, now that hurts.
SANNARO
You didn’t seem to mind doing that to me when I was in those. Be glad you can’t wear the ears, too. Now, if I reduce the power, is that enough to convince you to walk with us to the shuttle?
HADEON
To tell you the truth, I really don’t want to go with you at all.
SANNARO
I can understand that. I didn’t want to go to the auction you planned for me, but did you let me decline to attend it?
HADEON
You ass.
SANNARO
I have another way, but you won’t like it.
Sannaro cringed as he entered Hadeon’s mind and connected with his motor center. He thought for Hadeon to stand.
Hadeon stood.
HADEON
What the hell?
Sannaro thought for Hadeon to walk to the door.
Hadeon awkwardly walked to the door, then stopped.
SANNARO
Now, if you don’t want this display to continue, I strongly suggest you cooperate.
The Protocol Officers shifted on their feet uncomfortably.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
What are you doing, San?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I don’t like to do this often because it’s very invasive. In fact, I’ve only taken over another person’s body once. I entered Cherna when her legs were shredded apart and I guided her Vizha'i to land because she was in too much shock to control it herself.
MARC (PSI V.O.)
You’re scaring the hell out of the PE.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I know I am, but how else could I convince this fausa to come with us other than to wound him or strap him to a gurney and haul him to the shuttle?
SANNARO
Now, unless you want to be hauled to the shuttle embarrassingly like a puppet, move on your own.
HADEON
Get out of my head!
SANNARO
Walk to the shuttle on your own!
HADEON
Okay, you’ve ukvatu convinced me! Get out of my head, you mind rapist!
SANNARO
You sold me to a sex slaver and you raped my wife first, pirate! Now, walk to your damned trial like you have a damned spine in your back!
MARC
Now you’re scaring me, San.
HADEON
I’m going! See?
Hadeon took a few steps.
SANNARO
I’m glad we’ve come to an agreement.
Hadeon glared at Sannaro as he remembered he had said the same to Sannaro after he had shocked his ears.
SANNARO
Walk out the door and turn left.
HADEON
I hate you, slag.
Hadeon walked into the hall and turned left as he was told.
SANNARO
No love lost here, either, blue boy.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Are you all right, Marc?
MARC (PSI V.O.)
It’s just that I’m a blue boy, too.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Sorry if I offended you. That remark was entirely for Hadeon.
Sannaro stepped to the elevator and called it.
They stepped into the elevator.
SANNARO
Batri Vizha Etu'ipu.
HADEON
I wouldn’t be talked to like that.
SANNARO
You don’t even know what I said.
HADEON
No, but it didn’t sound nice.
SANNARO
Not for you.
The elevator opened again to the upper flight deck.
INT. KUMANI UPPER FLIGHT DECK
Sannaro guided Hadeon and Marc out of the elevator and they turned right toward the shuttles.
Arcas stood just beyond the ramp of a prepared shuttle and nodded as Sannaro guided Hadeon up the ramp and sat him in a seat.
Arcas followed and patted Kosi on the shoulder.
The hatch rolled closed and Sannaro heard the whirr of the ramp as it was retracted into the support beams under the passenger module.
Shortly, the shuttle hovered off the deck then lowered again on the lift.
The clang sounded and a voice warned in Astrisi that the lift was engaged. They raised into the top most deck where shuttles took off and both shuttles and fighters landed.
Kosi flew them into space then turned toward Earth.
He spoke shortly with tower control to get landing information as he flew toward the blue planet.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Wow, San, he looks a bit like Marc. He actually sold you then beat you till you were totally green?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Houk, he’s the pirate that was hunting me. He’s a mean unkafata. The Brocana are spitting pissed at that guy for leaving Alpha Centauri 7 and becoming a space pirate.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
I guess it would be like an Astrisi who changed sides and led pirates.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
That’s how the Brocana are taking it. They barely tolerate Marc’s choice to have a human career in the ADF.
ARCAS (PSI V.O.)
Sometimes, I even wonder why Marc works with the ADF. In the Zuran war, he was nothing like the humans attached to our ship. I got along better with him during that time than the others.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
He told me there are some things about his Brocana culture he’s not fond of so he chooses to live human.
KOSI
I have final landing procedures, San.
SANNARO
Fa’arata.
HADEON
(IN BROCANA)
You really know what they’re saying, Marcayo?
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Mind if I grab a translation from your mind so I know what Hadeon's saying to you?
MARC (PSI V.O.)
Link away, my friend.
MARC
I do understand most of what they’re saying.
HADEON
Do they ever use consonants?
MARC
You have to listen carefully and you’ll hear them.
HADEON
Pirates love to go after the Astrisi. They have great machines. Those ships are well designed, but they’re protective as hell about who gets them. That’s what makes the pirates so jealous of them.
MARC
Pirates are outlaws.
HADEON
And the Astrisi are not? I’ve heard there are some crooked Astrisi on the other ships. Kumani is just too damned proud because that ship is the oldest.
MARC
The Kumani is the first ship. They have the right to be proud of that legacy because there have never been invaders who have occupied that ship for long. If there are crooked Astrisi, as you say, the Astrisi have their own judicial system and don’t have to disclose what they do. Otherwise, they are registered as a legitimate independent shipping corporation.
HADEON
Ever wonder about that little runt? He’s clearly Saili, yet he’s insanely loyal to a totally different race and I’ve never seen a Saili as fucking aggressive at that slag.
MARC
That slag is a good friend of mine, renegade. I’m loyal to humans.
HADEON
Yeah, but your bastard father is jhumani, you share blood. That runt has no Astrisi blood. What the hell’s wrong with him?
MARC
He’s Gonkacha with seranimite mutations. The Saili aren’t very comfortable with the mutants.
HADEON
That still doesn’t explain why he’s so damned loyal to the Astrisi.
KOSI
Prepare for final approach.
MARC
Well, you won’t have to worry about Sannaro’s aggression again in prison. Take my advice and leave Sannaro alone.
Sannaro was relieved when the shuttle settled onto the tarmac of the spaceport. He stood up and faced Hadeon.
SANNARO
Stand up.
Hadeon snarled but he stood.
HADEON
You should go back to Sailia and act like a good little sniveling Saili.
SANNARO
I’m not a citizen of Sailia. I’m registered as New Saili and I live where I choose to live. Walk down the ramp.
HADEON
I’ll bet you’re afraid to go to New Sailia cause they’ll put ear shackles on those pretty big ears of yours for half the mental crap you do.
SANNARO
They wouldn’t call me General if the mental crap I do wasn’t sanctioned. Now, if you don’t want another demonstration, you will walk down the ramp quietly?
Hadeon snarled but he quietly walked down the ramp to the waiting policemen.
They led Hadeon to the police car and climbed inside.
As the car flew away, Sannaro sighed in relief.
SANNARO
Nothing happened. I’m so glad that’s over.
MARC
I’m glad, too. Hey, San, my father has invited you and your whole family, Di'ok included, to come to the Alpha Centauri Consulate to celebrate my homecoming.
SANNARO
I’d love to. I’ll ask Hadah if another shuttle can bring the rest of the family down.
MARC
I hope he will. Father is still grateful that we freed him from the Zurans years ago. Ah, here’s one of my father’s limousines to take us to the consulate.
Sannaro arched his eyebrows at the very long hover car that came to rest where the police car had been minutes before.
SANNARO
That’s a lot of car. Why do they make it so long?
MARC
So that many can sit in it with plenty of room.
Marc led the way to the car door, opened by a human in fancy black and white clothes.
MARC
Climb in.
Sannaro stepped in and looked around. Inside were two benches with a small table in the center.
Marc entered behind Sannaro.
MARC
Sit anywhere.
SANNARO
This is like a ground shuttle.
MARC
Yep, but it’s a ground shuttle for rich people. If you want a drink, we have a wet bar on the wall.
SANNARO
Wet bar? Everything is dry.
MARC
It’s a term for a cooler that keeps drinks cold. You can choose alcohol or–
SANNARO
I don’t drink alcohol.
MARC
Never?
SANNARO
Well, rarely. I don’t like how alcohol makes me feel.
MARC
I thought I saw you drink a glass of that Astrisi blue bubbly alcohol at the party at the end of the Zuran War.
SANNARO
Those are rare occasions. Alcohol slows my response time and I never know when I’ll be called to battle.
MARC
Makes sense.
Marc sat down on the bench behind the driver.
Sannaro sat across from him on the bench at the back.
Marc opened a small window.
MARC
Driver, please take us to the Alpha Centauri Consulate.
DRIVER
Yes, Sir.
SANNARO
Huh, very formal.
MARC
That’s how politics are.
As the hover car stopped before the largest house Sannaro had ever seen, he looked around the perfectly manicured lawn with statuary standing lazily at even paces.
Sannaro stepped out of the door the driver opened for him and shielded his eyes as he looked up at the four story white stone structure.
SANNARO
This houses one family?
MARC
Yep, my mother and father live here when they’re not on Alpha Centauri Seven.
Sannaro walked toward the house.
The front door opened and another older human stood aside.
MARC
San, I’d like you to meet Stewart. He’s been my father’s personal butler for as long as I can remember.
STEWART
It is good to see you again, Master Marcayo and welcome, Aurum General Damirateyak.
SANNARO
He doesn’t have telepathy.
MARC
No, he reads the schedule to know ahead of time who will visit the consulate. It’s required for him to know the visitor’s name and rank.
SANNARO
I don’t like to be called my formal name all the time. It’s so long and boring.
STEWART
How may I address you, Aurum?
SANNARO
San is good enough.
MARC
Aurum Sannaro should be adequate, Stewart.
Stewart smiled quickly before he rearranged his face back to neutrality.
STEWART
He is much like you, Master Marcayo.
MARC
Yes, he is. He’s a good friend of mine who saved my life a few times.
STEWART
Thank you for saving Master Marcayo, General Sannaro.
SANNARO
It was my pleasure.
Sannaro stopped in stunned silence when he saw the wide stairs fashioned of highly polished redwood with a shimmering glass chandelier that was forty meters in diameter. The floor of the foyer glistened with white marble.
SANNARO
Wow, the lighting and these colors are almost blinding.
MARC
I can take you out to the back lawn. It looks more natural.
Marc guided Sannaro through the opulently furnished house to the back porch.
The wood was still redwood but it had a more natural finish that ran the whole length of the house, dotted with tables with brightly colored umbrellas and lawn chairs. The lawn was bright green and almost uninterrupted except for a circular white stone fountain of frolicking mermaids that splashed water at each other.
SANNARO
This is more natural? It’s so controlled.
MARC
That’s Humans for you.
SANNARO
Is this owned by your father?
MARC
No, this is owned by Alpha Centauri. My father can only live here as long as he’s the representative of Alpha Centauri to Earth. So you want to see something uncontrolled?
Sannaro sensed people approach from inside the house and turned around.
Marc stopped to follow Sannaro’s movements.
Jon Daniels stepped from the house with his wife Candora.
SANNARO
Thank you for inviting my family, Ambassador Daniels.
Sannaro stepped around them and hugged Cherna.
Beyond her, Ambrika and Andoku were busy looking around.
Behind them, Danu and Varanani were also distracted with the ornate furnishings.
Di'ok stepped up to Jon and gave him a friendly hug.
DI'OK
Jon, this is my mate, Sha'ya.
JON
I’m very honored to meet you, Sha'ya.
SHA'YA
Di'ok has said much about the time both of you were captured by the Zurans.
JON
Di'ok’s linguistic skills were instrumental in our survival.
Candora laid a hand on Jon’s shoulder.
CANDORA
I will look in on the refreshments.
Jon nodded.
Sannaro watched the Brocana woman with long dark hair walk back into the house.
SANNARO
How does your mother take all this dazzle?
MARC
She’s learned how to cope with it. Anyway, like I said, would you like to see something more uncontrolled?
SANNARO
Where is it?
MARC
Farther out on the grounds.
SANNARO
Cheri, want to come?
CHERNA
It would be a nice walk.
AMBRIKA
Is this for real, Chali?
CHERNA
This is Marc Daniels’ father’s home. We were invited to celebrate our help in returning Marc to his family.
AMBRIKA
It’s huge!
SANNARO
It certainly is huge, Ambri.
Sannaro stepped down onto the grass.
Cherna stepped down then bowed her head. Cherna sneezed.
SANNARO
Tarsisai.
MARC
That’s a new word I haven’t heard. Is that something like good health?
SANNARO
Pretty much. Sometimes Cheri sneezes in direct sunlight. I think it’s because Astrisi aren’t exposed to sunlight often.
MARC
Good explanation as any.
Sannaro and Cherna held hands as they followed Marc over the manicured lawn to a red brick building over a rise.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
Sannaro twitched his nose as the smell of a large animal wafted out the open windows.
CHERNA
What is that?
Marc opened a door and scratched between the large eyes on an elongated skinny head on a long slender neck. The shoulders widened into a thick body with long spindly legs.
MARC
This is my Centaurian mount Hikiya. She’s a Sinvati.
SANNARO
Brocana ride this animal?
MARC
Yes, it’s quite a prized property. I was privileged to be given her as a part of my inheritance from my Uncle Jabayu when I took over the leadership of my clan.
SANNARO
Took over leadership of your clan?
MARC
The Brocana are very tribal, San. The oldest son is taught early in life that he will be held responsible for making important decisions for the whole family when the oldest sons before him are either killed or dies.
SANNARO
Oh, kind of how we Astrisi choose a Commander to decide where our ship flies to so we can sell and buy supplies we need?
MARC
That’s similar.
A Brocana man waved from a fence he was closing to keep very furry smaller tan animals within. The man trotted up to them.
ZAKOTI
Marcayo!
MARC
San, Cheri, this is my cousin Zakoti. He tends my clan’s klevie. They’re a Centauri animal similar to sheep.
ZAKOTI
Marcayo, I hear you were injured many times since you left us many suns ago.
MARC
I was, but I’m well again, Zak.
ZAKOTI
It is good to hear. Who will lead us when you go to the suns, Marcayo?
MARC
If need be, Jayanti can do it.
ZAKOTI
My son Jayanti? He is not Harak!
MARC
Neither is Amaranta, unless you’re willing to listen to a woman Harak.
ZAKOTI
That has not been Brocana way.
MARC
Jayanti is first male, so I guess he would lead if I died. We don’t live on Bamasha anymore, Zak.
ZAKOTI
You speak true.
MARC
You would be cared for. My father’s estate would see to that. Now, I want you to meet a good friend of mine who helped me survive my injuries. He is a Saili named Sannaro and his Astrisi wife Cherna.
ZAKOTI
He is the great warrior you spoke of from the last time you went away after you wed Amber!
MARC
He is.
ZAKOTI
It is honor to meet the great warrior Sannaro!
SANNARO
Thank you. It is an honor to meet you, Zakoti.
ZAKOTI
I am nothing to what I hear about you!
Sannaro blushed and bowed his head to hide his face in his hair.
MARC
Aw, Zak, you’re embarrassing San.
ZAKOTI
My apologies.
MARC
Hey, San, you want a ride on Hikiya? I’ll show you how to do it. Both of you can ride her, though I think it would be best for San to be in front for the stirrups and Cheri behind.
CHERNA
I can walk.
MARC
After I walked you all the way out here on your prostheses? You’re riding back. My father would have a few choice words for me if I didn’t offer you a ride back.
CHERNA
Machines are easier to control.
MARC
She’s very trained and tame.
SANNARO
I can talk to animals. I’ll ask Hikiya to be gentle with you.
MARC
That’s right, you said you could talk telepathically to animals.
Sannaro stepped up to the long, skinny head and looked up into the wide round eyes.
SANNARO
Hi, Hikiya, my name is Sannaro.
She whinnied softly.
HIKIYA'S SIGHT
He saw himself through her eyes.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
Yes, that is me.
Her eyes shifted to Marc and he sensed fond emotions in her.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
He says he has cared for you for many suns and likes you as much as you seem to like him.
She looked at Zakoti and licked his arm.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
And he is kind to feed you. You have a good caring family. Do you see the woman who stands beside Marcayo?
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I have strong feelings for her. Marcayo has offered that she and I ride on your back to the big house. She fears you will run too fast and scare her.
Hikiya shook her head and snorted.
MARC
Holy shit, he’s really talking to her?
CHERNA
He can.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
I know you wouldn’t want to hurt her. She wants to know that you won’t hurt her.
Hikiya arched her neck out and licked Cherna’s arm.
BACK TO NORMAL VISION
SANNARO
See? She promises to be slow and not scare you.
CHERNA
It amazes me every time I see him talk to animals, too, Marc. He told me his first friend was a stray cat on Regalis so he knows how animals communicate.
MARC
A cat?
SANNARO
Houk, he was a black stray cat named Nightwalker. He would talk to me in pictures and kept me from being lonely.
MARC
Okay, San, stand beside Hikiya, looking in the same direction as her.
Sannaro stood at her left and placed a hand casually on her back.
MARC
Now, place your right foot into the stirrup. Pull yourself up to stand in the stirrup, then swing your left leg over Hikiya’s back.
Sannaro quickly did as he was told and was soon perched on the tall animal, but he found he couldn’t keep his feet in the stirrups because they were too long for his shorter legs.
Marc chuckled and adjusted the length of the stirrups.
MARC
I should have thought my saddle configurations wouldn’t work for you.
MARC
Let Cherna borrow a stirrup, San.
Once he had them buckled so that Sannaro could place his feet in the stirrups, Marc gestured for Cherna to stand beside the mount.
Cherna carefully held onto Hikiya’s side and used her other hand to guide a prosthesis foot into the stirrup, stood up and swung her leg behind Sannaro.
CHERNA
Is that how I do it?
MARC
Just perfect, Cheri.
Marc clicked twice with his tongue.
Hikiya ambled forward at a sedate pace.
Cherna wrapped her arms tightly around Sannaro’s waist.
SANNARO
You’ve felt more movement in a Vizha'i, Cheri.
CHERNA
Like I said, machines are more controllable.
Sannaro began to relax even though he felt like the animal kept him quite high off the ground as they began to see the beautiful frolicking mermaid fountain.
Hikiya snorted anxiously.
Marc stroked her neck.
MARC
Easy, girl. It’s probably just a flier passing.
SANNARO (PSI V.O.)
What do you fear, Hikiya?
She imaged a fast-moving shuttle.
Sannaro arched his neck to look into the sky.
A shuttle was swooping at high speed toward the Alpha Centauri Consulate.
SANNARO
Cheri, down!
Cherna huddled lower in the saddle.
SANNARO
Nui, to the ground!
He shoved her sideways.
She yelped and grabbed the chest straps to slow her fall to the ground.
A bolt slammed into the fountain and blew it to pieces.
Sannaro’s vision exploded in bright flashing light before his sight dimmed and he felt himself falling from the Sinvati’s back.
INT. TEKITRI PLAINS, ALPHA CENTAURI 7 – DAY
Sannaro woke again to sunlight that burned like fire. He shrieked, curled up in a ball and ducked his head down to protect his burning eyes. In the protection of his arms, he saw he was again naked.
Marc stood over him and blocked the sunlight.
MARC
Please, can’t you see the light of Balda and Aldumu is already burning him? Saili can’t survive on Bamasha without protection!
Hadeon shoved Marc to the side.
Sannaro screamed as the light touched his skin again.
HADEON
I told him to be a good little Saili and go back to Sailia. He said he lived wherever he chose so I’m going to force the bastard to die. Especially after he humiliated me by controlling my body and forcing me to walk against my will! Humans couldn’t kill him so I brought both of you to Bamasha, away from Human meddling. It’s fitting that Balda and Aldumu will finally finish off The Destroyer!
Sannaro scanned around for Hadeon’s aura. He leapt to his feet and charged with his fists flying blindly.
SANNARO
I will not die of exposure before I take you with me!
He felt several blows land before Hadeon’s aura recede from him.
SANNARO
Come back, ikata ni'yaroi! Fight me with courage!
MARC
San, snap out of it. Let him flee for now. I need to find the nearest Brocana camp and ask them to clothe you before you die.
SANNARO
Where are we? I can’t see through the horrible glare.
MARC
By the looks of it, the central plains of Tekitri. Unfortunately, this is common renegade territory.
SANNARO
I can feel my skin blistering as I stand here.
Marc pulled his arm.
Sannaro moved with Marc until he felt the cooling effects of shade. He carefully opened his eyes to squint. A massive rock ahead was casting a large shadow.
SANNARO
That’s better.
MARC
I think for your sake, we should wait until nightfall to travel.
SANNARO
Now I’m tired, hungry and thirsty.
MARC
You need water first. You’re shoulders are already an angry orange and I’m sure that has already caused some dehydration.
SANNARO
Do you want me to ask an animal for directions to water?
MARC
I don’t know if that’s a good idea right now cause only you can follow it and I’m getting really worried about your high chances to get heat stroke.
SANNARO
I can link with you and give you directions from what I’m sensing from the animal while I stay here.
MARC
I can’t think of a better way right now. Now to figure out how to bring the water to you.
Marc walked around the rock.
MARC
I think this is a huge piece of shale. I can break a piece of this and cut the top of a barrel cactus off to get to some cactus water.
SANNARO
Is it similar to Earth cactus?
MARC
It is. They store water like Earth cacti. It would probably have more nutrients too with less travel. Ah, here’s a good size shale piece. I’ll be back when I find a nice fat cactus to cut open.
Sannaro laid on the cooler ground.
Marc tapped his shoulder and he raised his head off the ground.
MARC
Drink this.
Sannaro opened his eyes slightly and saw a green fleshy bowl in front of his face.
MARC
Don’t worry, I broke off the quills so you wouldn’t get poked.
Sannaro carefully took a sip of the slightly sweet water.
SANNARO
Huh, that’s good.
He took a bigger swallow.
Marc pulled the bowl away.
MARC
Don’t drink so fast. You’ll shock your system.
SANNARO
I’m still so thirsty.
MARC
I’ll let you have more, just drink slower.
Sannaro sat up and leaned against the rock so he could sip the water easier.
SANNARO
I want to open my eyes.
MARC
If you have to see, then see through my eyes. I have better vision protection.
SANNARO
Your extra eyelids?
MARC
Yes, they’re designed to control the glare. This is my native planet. This place kills, especially underground dwellers like Saili.
SANNARO
I’m sorry we evolved from burrowers! It’s not like Hadeon gave me a choice!
MARC
Don’t be. I’m going to take the damage to the Centauri Consulate’s water fountain out of Hadeon’s flesh.
SANNARO
You mean the frolicking mermaid water fountain the grounds keeper hauled you from when you used it as a swimming pool as a child?
MARC
Yeah, I loved that fountain. A chunk of that fountain struck you on the head and knocked you out then Hadeon stunned me. Next I knew, we were both naked on Bamasha, exposed to the plains of Tekitri. Nice attack, by the way, Hadeon was caught off guard.
SANNARO
But isn’t Bamasha a week’s travel from Earth?
MARC
About that much in a quick ship.
SANNARO
We should have woke earlier than this, then.
MARC
Unless he kept us sedated until we arrived.
SANNARO
If he did, that’s really anal.
MARC
You really enraged him when you took over his motor center and forced him to walk against his will. But I think after Arcturus, he just wants you to be listed as MIA and have it not be pinned on him.
Sannaro rubbed the knot on his head.
SANNARO
There’s that ikata lump. He’s just learned that’s not my only ability. He thought that since I was blinded by the glare, I wouldn’t be able to sense where he was. He didn’t count on me using my telepathy to guide me to him.
MARC
You are always full of surprises, but we can pursue him later.
Sannaro curled up in a tight ball as he extended his telepathy to search for sentient minds. As he scanned farther, he found a cluster of calm minds.
MARC
San, is there something wrong?
SANNARO
Nui, I was scanning the area. I found a cluster of peaceful minds, intent on common tasks.
MARC
That would be a Brocana camp. Once Balda and Aldumu have set below the horizon, can you guide us both there?
SANNARO
I can.
MARC
I have to say, your tracking skills do come in handy.
SANNARO
In this situation, definitely. I should thank Gavasno again for training me as a certified Saili Tracker.
Marc sat down beside Sannaro and looked up into the sky.
MARC
We have a few hours before suns set. So how does a Saili track?
SANNARO
Each person has a distinct mental signature. If a tracker is given a certain person’s mental signature from someone familiar with that person or a sensitive object they own, like quartz, we can scan what’s stored within. Then we reach out our telepathy and compare frequencies we sense with the pattern we’re given until we find a match. Once we lock on that match, we can follow it until we arrive at that person.
MARC
Wow, that’s a complicated thing to do without a machine.
SANNARO
Aren’t brains just organic machines?
MARC
Yeah, I guess they are.
SANNARO
I wish I could see.
MARC
And I wish I had a strip of cloth to tie around your face to keep your eyes closed or sunglasses.
SANNARO
Maybe I can see after nightfall.
MARC
We’ll just have to see.
Sannaro laid his chin on his knees.
MARC
I envy how limber you are, San.
SANNARO
I’m not as limber as I used to be but working out in the gym daily does help.
MARC
How do you do it? You don’t look a day over sixteen and you’re only a few years younger than me.
SANNARO
I’d rather look my age. I’d get more respect. I’m guessing it’s my Saili physiology. We age at a different rate than Humanoids. It’s not easy when people can’t tell that I’m the father of my own kids.
MARC
I can imagine. Oh, wow, now that I have the time to see you, you’re really scarred!
SANNARO
I blew myself up on Sailia.
MARC
Deliberately?
SANNARO
It was an infiltration to blow up key machines, but it went horribly wrong. We set the explosives and the timers, but the Humans intercepted us and prevented us from withdrawing before the explosives went off. I was standing when they blew.
MARC
Ouch.
SANNARO
It was agony. That’s why I retired, but Hadeon wasn’t satisfied to let me stay in retirement. Hadah felt he was so much a threat, he forced me to take the senior fighter pilot sash again.
MARC
So Hadeon deprived you the chance to spend the rest of your life with Cheri and not return to the fight. That renegade must be stopped.
SANNARO
I agree.
SANNARO
Are the suns going down? I’m feeling a bit chilled.
MARC
They’re going down. They’re just not out of sight yet. Aldumu stays present for an hour after Balda is no longer seen in the sky and he’s the stronger of the suns.
Sannaro shivered.
Marc scooted closer and put an arm around Sannaro’s shoulders.
FADE OUT.
THE END.